dandelion

American  

[dan-dl-ahy-uhn] / ˈdæn dlˌaɪ ən /

noun

1. a weedy composite plant, Taraxacum officinale, having edible, deeply toothed or notched leaves, golden-yellow flowers, and rounded clusters of white, hairy seeds.

2. any other plant of the genus Taraxacum.

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dandelion British  

/ ˈdændɪˌlaɪən /

noun

1. a plant, Taraxacum officinale, native to Europe and Asia and naturalized as a weed in North America, having yellow rayed flowers and deeply notched basal leaves, which are used for salad or wine: family Asteraceae (composites)

2. any of several similar related plants

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Etymology

Origin of dandelion

1505–15; < Middle French, alteration of dent de lion, literally, tooth of (a) lion, translation of Medieval Latin dēns leōnis, in allusion to the toothed leaves

Example Sentences

The packaging for Molecule pills often lists "natural ingredients" such as dandelion root and fennel seed extract.

From BBC

A sea of yellow—ocher, dandelion, goldenrod—seems to support a single tree backed by a dark vacuum, but as our eyes adjust, we realize a barn in deepest alizarin crimson dominates the scene.

From The Wall Street Journal

Tess had a mouthful of dandelions, but that didn’t stop her from speaking.

From Literature

Experts at the organisation say mixed lengths of grass are best for providing food and shelter, ideally with naturally occuring plants such as dandelions left to flower.

From BBC

Leafy greens and herbs: arugula, spinach, beet greens, mustard greens, radish tops, kale, dandelion, nasturtiums, fennel fronds, nettles, lovage, microgreens.

From Salon